Things to do today

EASTER HOLIDAYS: The school holidays are here, and there's plenty going on in London including family exhibitions, nature trails, egg hunts and museum workshops. Take a look at what's on near you, whatever their age, and whatever your budget.

EXPERIMENTAL GAMES: There's a three day experimental gaming festival at Somerset House. Highlights include a ping pong table that creates a work of art as you play, and a physical team challenge to stop an outbreak of the bubonic plague. Somerset House, £8/£6.50 for one day or £23/£15 for weekend, book ahead, 7-9 April

NEW EXHIBITION:A new photo exhibition, opening today, portrays the first world war battlefields 100 years on, juxtaposing the death and horror of war with the peace and tranquility of the fields today. Guildhall Yard, free, just turn up, 7-23 April

GIANT PINBALL: There's a giant pinball machine at Waterloo Station modelled after London with some food based twists. Some great prizes are up for grabs, if you can prove yourself as a pinball wizard. Waterloo Station, free, just turn up, 7am-7pm

BLACK SOUNDS: When the Southern Syncopated Orchestra arrived in London in 1919, so too did what we know today as black British music. This exhibition at The Black Cultural Archives in Brixton tracks 100 years of black sounds, featuring the likes of Lord Kitchener, Janet Kay and Eddie Grant. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm. Until 4 November

GARDEN OPENING: For the first time in 2017, Lambeth Palace Gardens opens to the public. The oldest continuously cultivated garden in London only opens a handful of times each year. Lambeth Palace Gardens, £5, just turn up, noon-3pm

TAP JAM: Kick off your weekend with some impressive tap dancing performances, part of Southbank Centre's Urban festival. Not always the reserved art form it is now, tap dancers used to gather in city streets in the 1930s to challenge each other. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 5.30pm

LATE AT TATE BRITAIN: Britain: Stand Firm is the theme for this late night gallery opening. It's based around the long-standing contributions that African and Caribbean immigrants have made to UK society, and includes live music, discussions, performances, film screenings and more. Tate Britain, free entry, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

MACHO? A bromance themed drag king cabaret, expert talks and a pop-up choir are just some of the events on offer at Wellcome Collection's Macho! themed late night opening. Wellcome Collection, free, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

Take a money-can't-buy tour of the Palace of Whitehall

Cityread London is hosting a whole month of Elizabethan themed events and activities all revolving around one book, Prophecy by S.J. Parris. The novel is a spy thriller set in 1538 London so expect intrigue, espionage and mystery.

On 26 April, there's an exclusive secret book club at the Palace of Whitehall, where you'll get to hear about Prophecy from the author herself. You'll also take part in a money-can't-buy tour of the Tudor parts of Whitehall — now part of the Cabinet Office — which aren't open to the public.

Here's the catch — you can only attend this secret book club evening by winning a ticket. Share your favourite place to read in London with the hashtag #LondonReadingDen by 17 April to be in with a chance. Full terms and conditions available at cityread.london.

Art review: queer British art

Sappho and Erinna share an intimate moment in a Garden at Mytilene, by Simeon Solomon. Image courtesy Tate.

It's great to see an exhibition about the contribution of queer people to art; 50 years after the decriminalisation of homosexuality is the right time for this important show offering some fascinating insights into who shaped what, and how.

The show, alas, often takes too broad a brush to define what constitutes 'queer'. Yes all angels looked androgynous, but it's quite a leap to assume this is an attempt to demonstrate gender fluidity. There are some great paintings and sculptures, but much of the work fails to make an impact. Queer British Art: 1861-1967 at Tate Britain,until 1 October, £15 ★★★☆☆ Tabish Khan

Theatre review: super rich kids

Photo: Darren Bell

Unsettling and upsetting, Laura Wade's damning critique of social hierarchy in Britain packs an even harder punch with an all-female cast. Cressida Carré's production is dynamic and original; the cast play the super-rich with a chilling authenticity. This play makes for a highly pertinent — and entertaining — riot of an evening. Posh, The Pleasance, Carpenters Mews, N7 9EF, £20 - £25,29 March-22 April ★★★★☆ Savannah Whaley

Good cause for the day

DIRTY DANCING: Prepare for a dazzling evening as Blackheath's Mycenae House is transformed into the Kellerman's Holiday Resort for the 30th anniversary of Dirty Dancing. You'll watch the film then dance all that passion out afterwards. All proceeds go towards Debbie's Fight for Life, raising money for a lifesaving operation for a mum-of-three, that's currently unavailable in the UK. Mycenae House, £9, book ahead, 7 April, 7pm-11pm

Funzing

Sex & Relationship mentor Colin Richards will will explain how our early life influences effect our attractions to others and our subsequent sexual behaviours. Colin will also then show you how by adopting a new way of listening and communicating, you can go a long way to overcoming repeated behaviour patterns to achieve the relationship and sexual connection you really want. Get tickets

The London Undergound is over 150 years old, and it's seen a thing or two in its time. Are you brave enough to face the ghosts of the Underground? Travel through the home of the Bank's Black Nun, learn about the elderly angel who saved a tube worker from death, and come to face to face with Farringdon's screaming spectre. Bring your oyster card and discover the hidden secrets of the Underground.
You'll need to have an Oyster card or travelcard for this event.
More information and tickets here: http://bit.ly/2fUVIsV (sponsor) Get tickets

Explore the mystical world and reconnect with your inner goddess (or god) through practices like astrology, herbalism and tarot at Anoushka's magikal Moonlight Goddess gathering. The practices will also teach you how to apply what you learn to the physical realm of your everyday life.
Get tickets